Sanitary fixtures

ABSTRACT

A sanitary fixture constructed from at least inner (1) and outer (45, 50, 61) shell sections formed from any suitable material such as a plastics material. The inner shell (1) has an upwardly facing concave basin portion (1A) and is supported on a cradle like member (30). The supported inner shell (1) provides structural integrity for the fixture and the remaining components of the fixture are carried essentially by the supported inner shell. The cradle like support (30) has a bottom section (31) for attachment to a supporting base, a top section (33) that engages the undersurface of the basin, and an intermediate section (32) interconnecting the top and bottom sections together. The supported inner shell provides structural integrity for the fixture whereby the outer shell section of the fixture which extends downwardly form an upper rim (10) of the basin, is essentially non-load bearing and thereby capable of being removed from fixture servicing or for substitution with a replacement shell of a different color, texture, design or material. The bottom section of the cradle like support can be made detachable (60, 78, 70) from the remainder of the support for ease of removal and installation of the fixture over a down pipe located in a floor.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to sanitary fixtures such as commodes, toilets,water closets, bidets, sinks, wash basins, urinals and drinking waterfountains and more particularly such fixtures made from interconnectingshells that include at least an inner shell and an outer shell andwherein the inner shell is supported providing structural integrity forthe fixture. Fixtures of the present invention can be constructed from anumber of interconnecting shell sections which themselves can be formedfrom any suitable material such as a plastics material, or variouscombinations or sub-combinations of a plastics material, ceramic ormetal.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Monolithic heavy-walled sanitary fixtures are well known in the art.Garnett in U.S. Pat. No. 3,843,977 issued Oct. 29, 1974 when disclosinghis sanitary fixtures constructed from a plurality of plastic "shell"sections, discusses in some detail the inherent difficulties whenconstructing and designing sanitary fixtures made from ceramicmaterials, and the advantages gained therefore by producing a similarfixture constructed from a plurality of interconnected plastic shellsections.

The fixture as disclosed by Garnett employs an inner bowl or basin whichis connected to a water trap. A two part rim member is used fordischarging rinse water into the bowl or basin. The rim member is alsoconnected to a base, wall or skirt element which exteriorly surroundsand obstructs the underside of the basin and water trap from view.

The various above described relatively thin-walled shell sections areinterconnected providing an inner shell and an outer shell spaced apartso as to provide an internal cavity. When the fixture is inverted, thisinternal cavity is open at the top readily permitting pouring in asettable filler.

In order to structurally permanently interconnect the various shellsections, and in order to support same, Garnett teaches one to chargethe internal cavity with a core material, such as water curing concretesand cements, or structural foam materials.

Because the internal cavity of the fixture must be filled for structuralintegrity and support, the "shell" fixture as disclosed by Garnett,given the inclusion of core material, and notwithstanding one of hisintended objects, still remains undesirably heavy. Further, since thecore material is required for structural integrity and support, itspresence inhibits or restricts one's ability or freedom to create noveldesign or appearance features and include them in the area of the baseor skirt section of the fixture.

Neither the Garnett type of "shell" fixture, nor the well known ceramicfixtures, are capable of having their external appearance featureschanged after assembly or fabrication. Additionally, while the colour ofan existing sanitary fixture may be changed by painting, this is notnormally regarded as practical or suitable by decorators, and whenredecorating, it is not uncommon for one to replace the entire fixturewith one displaying a new colour or new overall design, or both.

In German Patent Specification DE-A-23 43 615 which was laid open forinspection on Mar. 13, 1975, the plastic toilet bowl fixture thereindisclosed comprises a metal frame, which is horseshoe shaped, and whichis attached to a floor. A plastic pedestal part, at its lower end issupported by the sidewalls of the frame, and at its upper end, receivesa plastic bowl section. The pedestal and bowl are interconnected undertension by means of a leaf spring extending across the frame and a screwand an adjustment nut arrangement that connects the bowl to the leafspring. As disclosed, the greatest mechanical stress imparted to thefixture is experienced when the front or leading edge of the bowl issubjected to heavy loading. In order to prevent large stresses betweenthe pedestal and bowl at this point, provision for relative motion orshifting between the pedestal and the bowl at their point of contact isdisclosed, and is considered necessary in order for the neighbouringzones to take up part of the load. Given the above described springbiased tensioning means, and the purposely permitted movement betweenthe pedestal and the bowl, this unwanted movement or flexure may beregarded as unacceptable to many who want or require a stable or solidfixture which, of course, is characteristic of ceramic fixtures of thistype.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Sanitary fixtures constructed in accordance with this invention retainall of the construction attributes characteristic of "shell" fixtures asdisclosed by Garnett, but do not require the use of core material in thecavity permanently joining the sections for structural or supportpurposes. In application's fixtures, the outer shell which provides thebase or skirt portion of the fixture is not a structural member, as isthe case with ceramic fixtures, or as is the case with Garnett. Becauseof this, greater latitude is allowed by the present invention indesigning the appearance of the fixture's exterior base, sidewall orskirt. Moreover, as provision can also be made for separating the outershell in the skirt or base from the remainder of the fixture, afterfinal assembly, it is possible to remove it in the filed and replace itwith a substitute skirt of a different material, or with one exhibitinga different colour, design, or texture. Hence the necessity of disposingof an original fixture in its entirety can be avoided.

Similarly, and in keeping with this invention, where the fixture is tofunction as a conventional toilet having an attached water tank, aremovable cover jacket for the associated water tank can be provided,and similarly replaced with a substitute jacket cover in order tocompliment the design, colour, material or texture of a replacementshell which is being used for the base or skirt of the fixture. Theprovision of a cover jacket for the water tank also enables one tochange the water capacity of interior water tank without in any wayaltering the outward design appearance of the fixture and its jacketedwater tank reservoir.

While any suitable plastics material is the preferred type of materialto be used when constructing the shell sections, given various buildingcodes or simply different parochial habits or traits, and in keepingwith this invention, it is also possible for the fabricator to usesubstitute shell materials and colours. For example, the concave shellor basin, if desired, can be of stainless steel, while other tastes orrequirements may dictate that convex shell or basin be of ceramicmaterial.

The versatility imparted to sanitary fixtures of this invention overthat which has gone on before is achieved by having the structuralintegrity for the fixture provided by supporting the inner shell. Theutilization of a novel support is located substantially centrally andinternally of the fixture and carries the weight of the fixture and anyadditional load applied to it. Through the use of this supporting means,the outer shell forming the base or sidewall of the fixture effectivelybecomes a none, or only nominally, load bearing member, meaning its useis now only principally cosmetic.

The non-load bearing outer shell is made removable for servicing and/orfor substitution by a replacement shell which forms the exposed to viewbase portion of the fixture. Provision can also be made for a preferablyremovable kick or scuff plate, located at the bottom or lowermostportion of the outer shell. This plate can be of a different colour fromthe remainder of the shell, if colour accenting is desired in this area.Furthermore, as this is an area exposed to abrasion and chemicalreagents resulting from repeated floor cleaning, the lower exposedportion of a plastics material shell can be better protected using apreferably removable kick or scuff plate of more resistant material,such as stainless steel.

Sanitary fixtures of the present invention are constructed frominterconnecting shell members formed from any suitable material, andinclude an inner shell having an upwardly facing concave basin portionfor receiving waste material, means for discharging a supply of waterinto said concave basin portion, exit means for the outflow of water andwaste material from said basin portion, and an outer shell providing anexterior wall or skirt extending downwardly. The inner shell is mounted,preferably removably mounted, on a cradle like support means locatedinteriorly of said exterior wall and is provided with a bottom sectionwhich is intended to be attached to a supporting base, such as a flooror wall. The support means also includes a top section which engages theunderside surface of the concave portion of the inner shell and which isheld in fixed and spaced apart relationship from the bottom section ofthe support by an intermediate section.

The weight of the fixture and any loads applied to it are thus carrieddirectly by this centrally disposed support means. Since toilets andbidets traditionally have an oval shaped basin, applied loads to thesetypes of fixtures are not necessarily confined to the central area ofthe basin and as a result, the bottom section of the support, in orderto accommodate for off-center loading, may be made elongate so as toextend in the same longitudinal direction as the major axis of the oval.

As indicated above, the interconnecting exterior shell, which provides askirt forming what can otherwise be visually regarded as the fixture'sbase, can be readily detached from the remainder of the fixture, andwhen desired, substituted with a replacement. Its ability to beremovable also facilitates ease of servicing the fixture should leaksarise in its internal connections, or with its associated down pipe, towhich it is attached.

The exit means comprises a discharge outlet in the bottom of the concaveportion of the inner shell that connects to the inlet end of a watertrap conduit. The water trap is mounted on support means for the innershell and because of the location of the support means, the outlet endof the water trap conduit can advantageously extend through or terminateat a first aperture provided in the bottom section of the support means.

Preferably, the inner shell and the water trap conduit are formed asseparate members, using suitable plastic materials. In thisconfiguration, and regardless of the shell material selected, in orderto ensure a positive interconnection between the discharge outlet of theconcave portion of the inner shell and the inlet end of the water trapconduit, a second aperture can be provided and located in theintermediate section of the support means. The intermediate section ofthe support means, at its second aperture location, can thus againadvantageously carry means for clamping joining in water tight relationa portion of the inner shell that provides the discharge opening for theconcave portion of the shell and the inlet end of the water trapconduit.

In accordance with a further embodiment of this invention, theintermediate section of the support means can include two spaced apartupwardly directed support walls which are perpendicular to and whichextend in a direction parallel to the bottom section. The top section ofthe support means in this arrangement can then include concave shellengaging means on the top of each of the support walls so that thesupport means can be physically attached to the underside of the concaveshell, such as by gluing or mechanical fastening. As an alternative, theunderside of the concave shell may also be provided with top sectionreceiving means, such as flanges or the like, so that the support meansitself can be detachably secured to the basin employing, for example,securing bolts. It will also be recognized that it is possible, usingsuitable materials, to mold the concave shell together with its supportmeans as a single, integral, shell section.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of my invention, and in orderto facilitate installation or removal of the fixture, the supportingmeans can also include means for releasing at least one part of thesupport means from the remainder of the fixture to which it is attached.By way of example, the base section of the support means can be madedisengageable from the intermediate section, so that the base sectioncan first be secured to the floor without obstruction, and then thefixture, carrying the intermediated and top sections, can be placed inposition over the base section, and physically secured or attached toit, employing, for example, disengageable latching means, carried oneither the base or intermediate sections.

While the need for a structural core material within the undersidecavity between the inner and outer shells of the fixture has, inaccordance with this invention, been dispensed with, it will berecognized that all or part of this cavity can be filled or stuffed witha non-structural damping material, such as glass fiber. Glass fiber,being compressible, is ideally suited where the base, skirt or sidewallshell is being replaced with one or smaller size.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a water closet wherein theremovable outer shell providing the skirt is open at the rear of thefixture;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to the lower portion of FIG. 1, but where theskirt extends entirely around the fixture;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2, but illustrates a supportmeans where the upper portion is detached from its base member;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are oblique views illustrating the base member componentused with the upper portion of the supporting means seen in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded oblique view illustrating the detachable lockingarrangement of the base member to the remainder of the supporting means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, for ease of understanding, the samereference numerals have been used to denote like parts.

Each fixture illustrated includes an inner shell 1 having an upwardlyfacing concave portion providing a basin 1A for receiving water andwaste material that is capable of being discharged through exit opening2 positioned in the bottom of the basin, a cradle like support means 30disposed under and supporting the inner shell and an outer shell 45 thatprovides a skirt for the fixture. Flanges 3 extending outwardly from theunderside of basin 1A may be provided for securing the basin to thesupporting means 30, as discussed in greater detail below.

A water distribution manifold 4, having annular opening 5 of a somewhatsmaller diameter than that of the upper portion of basin 1A, ispositioned over the basin. This manifold, which is hollow, is providedwith a water inlet 6 and a plurality of water discharge orificesarranged about annular opening 5.

The water manifold is secured to ledge 8 located at the top of the basin1A by any suitable means, such as gluing. Provision can also be made forsecuring the basin to the manifold by means of bolts or the like inselected areas, such as area 9 being an indent in the manifold.

An upper rim 10, having inner and outer rim edges 11 and 12,respectively, is positioned over manifold shell 4 and concave shell 1 sothat inner rim edge 11 and outer rim edge 12 overly the manifold andobstruct annular opening 5 of the manifold and ledge 8 of the basin fromview. As before, the upper rim 10 can be secured in position by anysuitable means such as by gluing. Where desired or appropriate, a seat81 and seat cover 82 can be fixed to rim 10 employing securing holes 19provided in the rim, manifold and ledge for this purpose.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the rearward part of the upper rim carries withit an elongate depression 13 for receiving a bottom portion of a watertank 14 that is supported in a position above ledge 8. Pipe opening 15in the bottom of the tank connects with water inlet 6 of the manifold ina manner well known in the art (not shown). The water supply tank 14 isitself obstructed from view by cover jacket 16 and located in positionon rim 10 by lip 17.

As also seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the exit means for the outflow ofwater and waste material from the basin includes a water valve in theform of "P" trap 20, the function of which is also well known in theart. As shown, the trap also includes anti-siphon conduct 21 which atone end communicates with the interior of the trap, and at the other, isprovided with water inlet 22. Inlet 22 is attached to the underside ofwater distribution manifold 4 and again functions in a manner well knownin the art and serves to promote waste water discharge during a waterflush. The trap discharge opening 23, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, isintended to be connected to a down pipe carried by a supporting base andon which the fixture is to be positioned (not shown).

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, support means 30 for the fixture, asillustrated, includes bottom section 31 which is preferably elongate forimparting stability to the sanitary fixture, intermediate section 32 andtop section 33. As will be apparent, the top section of the supportmeans effectively is a cradle for the basin which if desired can bepositively attached to projection flanges 3 on basin 1 employing anysuitable type of fastening means such as pins 33A or attachment bolts(not shown). The intermediate section 32 includes two spaced apartsupport walls designed, respectively, 32A and 32B.

Advantageously, and in order to locate discharge opening 23 of trap 20in fixed position and for attachment to a down pipe on the supportingbase, a circular opening 34 or aperture in base 31 can be provided, thuspermitting water trap 20 with discharge opening 23 to projecttherethrough. The other end of the conduit that provides trap 20 canalso be advantageously held in fixed water tight relation with exitopening 2 in basin 1, by means of a further opening 36A or aperture inthe intermediate section. As illustrated, transverse parts 35 and 36 ofthe intermediate section can be joined together by means of fasteningbolts or the like (not shown) in order to positively clamp and effect awater tight fit between opening 2 of the basin and inlet opening 37 oftrap 20. Thus, when in its assembled condition, and if desired, thefixture essentially consisting of the basin, trap, manifold and upperrim as well as the support means attached to the basin can be physicallypositioned as a joined together unit over a down pipe and attached toits support base, such as a floor, by for example, screws, bolts or thelike using attachment holes 38 provided for this purpose in the base ofthe mounting cradle like means 30.

Referring specifically to the fixture seen in FIG. 1, the abovedescribed assembly is positioned over a floor plate 40 located on asupporting base (not shown). This plate includes annular opening 41supporting a down pipe (not shown), and over which opening 23 of trap 20is to be aligned and attached in a known manner.

The perimeter portion of floor plate 40 is flared upwardly and outwardlyas seen at 43 for reasons which will be apparent from that whichfollows, and at its rear, includes an upstanding panel or shell section44. Panel 44 in conjunction with removable skirt 45 serves to mask offfrom view the inner assembly of the fixture.

As illustrated, the lower edge of skirt 45 is provided with an inwardlyextending flange 46 which can be slid below or otherwise positionedbelow the upwardly and outwardly flared part 43 of plate 40. The upperedge 47 of skirt 45, on the other hand, is contoured so as to matinglyengage a recess 48 extending about the lower edge of outer rim 12, andsecurement thereto can be by any suitable sealing material which, ifrequired, will permit the skirt to be separated form the upper rim. Ifdesired, the juncture of the wall providing recess 48 with the outer rimedge 12 can be provided with a downwardly facing groove for receivingthe upper peripheral edge of the outer shell 45.

In the FIG. 2 arrangement, and as illustrated, outer shell 50 thatprovides the skirt is fabricated as a single shell section whichenvelopes all of the remaining parts of the fixture below the upper rim10. If desired, skirt 50 may also include an integral or separatesub-floor 62 as seen in FIG. 3. Access holes 51 (FIG. 2) can be providedon either side of the skirt and if desired, can be closed off in anysuitable manner such as employing a removable kick or scuff plate 52 asshown. In this particular fixture illustration, skirt 50 along its upperedge 53 is recessed and configured so that the edge 53 is disposedinteriorly of outer rim edge 12 of rim 10. During installation, theskirt is located in the desired position and the remainder of thefixture then positioned therefore; the interior portion of the fixturethen being attached to a supporting base employing attachment holes 38with access thereto being gained through openings 51. Where replacementof the skirt is undertaken, the foregoing procedure is simply reversed.

Referring now to FIG. 3, it will be seen that top and intermediatesections 33 and 32 of the support means 30 are similar to thecorresponding parts illustrated in FIG. 2. It will be also apparent,however, that locking fingers 60 extend downwardly therefrom. The outershell 61, as before, is provided with an indented upper edge 53 which iscancealed from view when brought into registry with outer edge 12 of rimshell 10. Also as shown, shell 61 is provided with an integral orseparate sub-floor 62 which imparts lateral stability to the skirtproximate its bottom area, and is also provided with openings 63 throughwhich locking fingers 60 can extend. A circular opening shown by brokenline 64 can also be provided in the sub-floor, the purpose of which isto permit the discharge opening 23 of trap 20 to extend through thesub-floor and in order to effect coupling to a down pipe as previouslydescribed. However, and as illustrated in FIG. 3, trap 20 extendsrearwardly of the fixture and terminates at outlet end 83; this endextending through circular opening 84 provided int he skirt. Externalconnections to horizontal outlet 83 are commonly employed in Europeanwater closet and North American bidet installations.

The detachable engagement feature of the support means seen in FIG. 3 isbest illustrated with reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 where the bottomsection 31 of the support means 30 includes a locking plate 70. As seenin FIG. 4, locking plate 70 has a semi-circular cut-out 71 and can bemoved in the direction towards and so as to engage the underside ofcollar 73 of a down pipe to which the collar is attached. Plate 70 isthen physically secured to a supporting base and the collar 73 employingattachment holes 74 for this purpose.

Four locking finger receiving receptacles 75 for receiving lockingfingers 60 of member 30 are carried by or molded into plate 70 asillustrated, and on their innermost sides relative to the plate includecut-out sections 76 through which the free ends of "U" shaped wire orrod 77 extend. As each locking finger is provided with a notch 78 (seeFIG. 6), when the rod is pulled in the direction of arrow 79,receptacles 75 are unobstructed by the rods so that entry of fingers 60is facilitated. This enables fingers 60 to be inserted into thereceptacles as seen from direction arrow 80 of FIG. 6. Once nestledwithin these receptacles, the "U" shaped wire rod is moved in adirection reverse to arrow 79, thereby locking the two componentstogether.

In order to separate skirt 61 from the remainder of the fixture seen inFIG. 3, all that is required is to disengage locking fingers 60 formplate 70 as descried above, and thereafter, separate the skirt from theremainder of the unit. As before, the bottommost portion of the shirtcan include a removable scuff or kick plate 52, but since the fixturecan be separated from its floor attachment simply by pulling thedisengagement rod (which extends outwardly of the rear of the fixture),no unsightly access or attachment protuberances need appear in thesidewall or skirt portion of the fixture.

While the subject invention has been described in context of a watercloset or toilet, it will be apparent to anyone skilled in the art thatthis invention has equal application to other forms of sanitaryfixtures.

I claim:
 1. In a sanitary fixture of the type which is adapted to be secured to a floor and which is constructed from a plurality of interconnected plastic members that include an inner shell-like member forming a waste and water receiving basin which has a discharge opening proximate a bottom thereof, a water trap conduit having an inlet end connected to said discharge opening and an outlet end for connection to a waste down pipe located in said floor, an upper member at least forming a rim about a top of said basin, and an outer shell-like member spaced apart from and forming an exterior wall about an underside of said basin and which is sized to extend from said upper member to said floor, the improvement comprising:(a) said outer member being essentially a non-load bearing member and being removably connected to said upper member; and (b) support means for securing said fixture to the floor and for positively and firmly supporting substantially all of the weight of the fixture and any weight applied to the fixture during use thereof, said support means being separately located interiorly of said outer member and further including:(i) an elongate bottom section for fixedly securing said support means to the floor; (ii) a first aperture in said bottom section permitting the passage of the outlet end of said water trap conduit therethrough; (iii) two spaced apart support walls which respectively extend upwardly from an elongate side of said bottom section and which relative to said water trap conduit, are located on either side thereof; (iv) means for securing each of said support walls to said underside of said basin.
 2. The sanitary fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein said water trap conduit at its said inlet end is connected to said discharge opening at said second aperture.
 3. The sanitary fixture as claimed in claim 2, wherein said transverse wall includes means for joining said discharge opening and said inlet end of said water trap conduit together in a water tight relationship.
 4. The sanitary fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for securing includes co-operating inter-engagement means on the underside of said basin and on an upper part of each of said support walls for removably securing each of said support walls to said underside of said basin.
 5. The sanitary fixture as claimed in claim 4, wherein said inter-engagement means includes flanges on said underside of said basin. 